Can future computers simulate our brain?

The brain is one of the most remarkable organs: more than 100 billion neurons form a communication system that enables human beings to think, feel and act. Although enormous efforts have been made, research has not yet been successful in explaining the functions of this highly complex organ.

The “Human Brain Project” is a consortium of European universities including the Medical University of Innsbruck that aims at using computers to simulate the human brain. The HBP is one of six pilot projects that compete for funding by the new FET Flagship Program.

Prof. Alois Saria of the Medical University of Innsbruck is part of the management team in the project consortium. Being the director of the Department for Experimental Psychiatry at the Medical University of Innsbruck, he is to manage the education of up to 1000 PhD students.

Can future computers simulate our brain? That is the question that Prof. Saria, together with Prof. Peter Jonas of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria and Dr. Wolfram Rieneck of the Service Center for Research at Medical University of Innsbruck, will address in a press conference.